WWE Raw marked a milestone on January 5 with a special Stranger Things-themed episode that also celebrated the first anniversary of the show’s move to Netflix. With the Barclays Center dressed in eerie lighting and retro aesthetics inspired by the hit series, Raw leaned heavily into spectacle while delivering one of its most storyline-dense episodes in months.
Championship matches dominated the night, alliances shifted, and Raw closed with chaos that suggested several major feuds are heading toward the boiling point as the new year begins.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Title Match: The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane) (c) vs. Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley
Raw wasted no time setting the tone as the Women’s Tag Team Championship headlined the opening match. Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley challenged The Kabuki Warriors in a bout that blended crisp teamwork with hard-hitting power.
Sky and Asuka began with rapid exchanges that showcased their familiarity, but Ripley’s presence quickly altered the dynamic. Her early cannonball to both champions on the floor drew a loud reaction and established her as the physical force in the match.
The Kabuki Warriors responded by isolating Ripley, repeatedly targeting her spine through tandem strikes and tags that kept momentum on their side. Kairi Sane’s aerial offence and Asuka’s submission work slowed the challengers, forcing Sky to scramble for counters just to survive.
Momentum swung dramatically when Ripley caught Sane mid-flight with a fallaway slam, allowing Sky to re-enter and inject speed back into the contest. Missile dropkicks, double stomps, and quick tags followed as the challengers built toward their finish.
Asuka nearly sealed the match with a roll-up, and later a German suplex sequence, but Sky’s Bullet Train Attack opened the door. Ripley delivered consecutive Riptides, first to Sane and then to Asuka, before Sky sealed the moment with Over The Moonsault.
Winners: Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley – NEW CHAMPIONS
Backstage tensions spilt into the ring as Gunther responded to Adam Pearce’s demand for respect with open mockery. The former champion framed himself as WWE’s true standard-bearer, pointing directly to his submission victory over John Cena as proof that he deserves reverence, not lectures.
AJ Styles interrupted before the segment could spiral further. Gunther dismissed him outright, claiming Styles was “punching above his weight” and using Cena’s own taunts to underline his point.
Styles did not engage verbally for long. Instead, he slapped Gunther across the face, an action that earned a huge response from the Brooklyn crowd. His quiet declaration that Gunther “gets nothing” in return may have been understated, but the message was clear. This confrontation felt like the opening chapter of a rivalry built on pride rather than titles.
WWE Women’s Intercontinental Title Match: Maxxine Dupri (c) vs. Becky Lynch
The Women’s Intercontinental Championship was next on the line as Becky Lynch challenged Maxxine Dupri in a match that blended surprising toughness with dramatic reversals.
Dupri attacked early, refusing to be overwhelmed by Lynch’s reputation. She brawled aggressively on the floor and landed a fisherman’s suplex and leg lariat combination that visibly rattled the challenger.
Lynch weathered the storm and gradually imposed her pace, connecting with Exploders, a superplex, and a DDT that seemed to have the match won. Dupri, however, repeatedly escaped and turned to the Ankle Lock as her weapon of choice, forcing Lynch to scramble for rope breaks.
The finishing stretch came down to desperation. Dupri was locked in another Ankle Lock, but Lynch rolled through into a pinning combination, using the ropes for leverage to secure the three-count.
Winner: Becky Lynch – NEW CHAMPION
Raw’s middle stretch focused on roster movement and escalating rivalries. During the break, Adam Pearce introduced Je’Von Evans, who signed his Raw contract in front of the crowd, officially joining the brand.
The Usos followed with a celebratory promo, acknowledging their new status as World Tag Team Champions. They praised recent challengers but made it clear that 2026 belongs to them, inviting anyone bold enough to step forward.
Stephanie Vaquer’s appearance quickly shifted the mood. Wearing a walking boot, she reflected on a remarkable 2025 that included multiple championships and her rise to Women’s World Champion. Vaquer promised that injury would not slow her ambitions.
Raquel Rodriguez violently disagreed.
Rodriguez blindsided Vaquer, attacking her injured ankle repeatedly and escalating the assault with a chair before officials intervened. The chaos continued backstage, where Rodriguez sent Vaquer crashing into equipment cases and stomped the injured leg until Adam Pearce finally expelled her from the building.
The attack framed Rodriguez as a dangerous wildcard and cast serious doubt over Vaquer’s immediate future.
Liv Morgan vs. Lyra Valkyria
Liv Morgan faced Lyra Valkyria with Bayley and Roxanne Perez lurking at ringside, and the match unfolded as volatile as expected.
Morgan controlled early, targeting Valkyria’s shoulder against the steps and maintaining pressure through submission holds. Valkyria fought back with stiff forearms and a Tornado DDT that briefly shifted momentum.
Outside interference proved decisive. Perez distracted the referee long enough to shove Valkyria through the ropes, prompting Bayley to chase Perez to the back with a chair. With the order breaking down, Morgan struck with Oblivion to secure the victory.
Winner: Liv Morgan
WWE World Heavyweight Title Match: CM Punk (c) vs. Bron Breakker
The main event delivered on both drama and excess, as CM Punk defended the World Heavyweight Championship against Bron Breakker in a match that steadily escalated into all-out anarchy.
Breakker’s early power advantage was undeniable. He punished Punk with suplexes, gutbusters, and knee strikes, repeatedly cutting off any momentum the champion tried to build. Punk responded with resilience, firing back with flying clotheslines and sharp counters whenever space opened up.
The match took a turn when Paul Heyman became increasingly involved, drawing Punk’s attention as Logan Paul, Bronson Reed, and Austin Theory emerged. The interference sparked a wild brawl that drew Penta, Dragon Lee, and Rey Mysterio into the fray, spilling chaos into the crowd and clearing the area around the ring.
Despite the distractions, Breakker came within seconds of victory multiple times, surviving a piledriver and escaping both the STF and Anaconda Vice. Punk endured a Fujiwara Armbar and a devastating spear through the announce desk, only to drag himself back into the fight.
The final moments were defined by stubborn defiance. Punk absorbed a GTS from Breakker, escaped another spear, and finally landed a decisive third GTS to secure the pinfall.
Winner: CM Punk
The show closed with Punk standing tall with the title as Breakker regrouped with The Vision.
